I Got My Engagement Annulled… Even Though We Were Never Engaged - Chapter 25

After stepping out of the shop still wearing my new glasses, Lord Fevan, holding my hand, cheerfully said:

“Perfect timing—let’s have lunch. There’s a restaurant where you can eat on a boat.”

According to Lord Fevan, a restaurant serving meals on boats floating along the canal had opened a few months ago. It had become a hot topic among novelty-loving nobles and was fully booked for months in advance, but apparently a lucky cancellation allowed him to slip in a reservation for today.

…Though when he says “lucky,” it’s only because he’s Lord Fevan that he even gets notified about cancellations. Being both capable and the eldest son of the Marquis Levesius family, he gets priority invitations. Thinking about it, even if this is just a trial period, I’m dating someone truly remarkable. Not that I hadn’t realized that before.

We walked to the canal and boarded a boat moored at the pier. The long, narrow boat had two private rooms, and we were shown to one of them. Inside, a long table with six chairs was set up. Apparently, each room could accommodate up to six people.

Once seated, the entire menu from appetizers to dessert was laid out on the table. It seemed the style was to serve all the food at once, since serving on a boat was difficult.

After the day’s menu was explained and our drinks were prepared, the boat slowly began to move. It would take an hour to leisurely cruise around the canal.

“This is quite interesting,” I remarked.

Through the boat’s window, I could see the sparkling water reflecting the sunlight and the opposite shore. The breeze felt refreshing. Whether due to the slow speed or the boatman’s skill, there was very little rocking.

“I’m glad you like it. I hear the food is delicious too, so let’s relax here for an hour.”

“Yes.”

We lightly clinked our glasses filled with non-alcoholic drinks in a toast.

As Lord Fevan had said, every dish was delicious.

“This dish is from Nodierra, isn’t it?”

“Is that so? No wonder I noticed unfamiliar spices.”

In Belcour, teleportation magic circles are widespread, making transporting goods easy, but that’s not the case with other countries. Belcour is practically the only country where such convenient magic is common. Other nations, with fewer mages, have at most one or two circles, and even nobles can’t easily use them due to the limited number of mages available to activate them.

Thus, goods are transported by carriage or ship. Imports entering Belcour mostly arrive in the capital via the canal. Foreign imports gather in the capital or near the borders in the territories of nobles before being distributed elsewhere.

However, because of this, perishable items aren’t suitable for import. What can be sourced from other countries are either long-lasting agricultural products or non-food items. Spices, being durable, make excellent imports.

According to Lord Fevan, Nodierran cuisine uses a lot of spices, and this restaurant’s dishes were a faithful recreation of that country’s food.

“The dishes there were a bit spicier, but this level is just right for me. When it’s too spicy, I end up drinking too much water and filling up on it. This isn’t spicy at all.”

“Fufu…”

I couldn’t help but chuckle imagining Lord Fevan chugging water while eating.

As he said, the dishes here had just a slight kick, not enough to be called spicy.

“So you’re not good with spicy food, Lord Fevan?”

“It’s not that I dislike it, but my tongue gradually goes numb. With dishes loaded with chili peppers, why does the spiciness linger even after drinking water? The flavor fades, but the tingling sensation remains.”

“I read somewhere that when eating very spicy food, it’s better to drink milk instead of water.”

“Really?”

“I’ve never tried it myself, though.”

Lord Fevan slumped his shoulders dramatically, saying, “I wish I’d known that sooner.” Had he struggled with spicy food during his studies abroad?

“But if you’re not good with spicy food, why choose this restaurant?”

“I wanted you to try the cuisine from the country where I studied. It was delicious, aside from the spiciness.”

It sounded almost as if he wanted to share his memories with me.

I unconsciously paused, and Lord Fevan looked at me curiously.

“Something wrong?”

“No, it’s just… I was wondering why you proposed to me. You even suggested we date on a trial basis, it’s all so mysterious.”

Even though he said he didn’t need me to take responsibility, why was he still persisting?

“Does it make you uneasy not knowing the reason?”

“…Yes, I suppose so.”

I have no confidence in my appearance, and he’s the son of a chancellor’s family. If he wanted, he could marry a woman of much higher status than me. So why is he fixated on me?

Precisely because I understand my own attraction to his kindness, not having a clear reason makes me anxious.

He once said he found me interesting, but I didn’t want to be toyed with out of mere curiosity.

Even if I knew the reason, it wouldn’t mean I’m fit to be a marquess’s wife, so I probably couldn’t feel completely at ease either way.

But having uncertainties everywhere was painful.

I wanted to resolve at least one of my anxieties.

“If I said it’s because I find you appealing, that wouldn’t satisfy you, would it?”

“Well…”

That would just raise new questions about what “appealing” traits I possibly have, without bringing any reassurance.

“Then, let’s see. If I had to say, it’s because you’re not like other noble ladies.”

“Is that a compliment?”

“Of course, it is.”

Lord Fevan nodded emphatically before skillfully cutting a piece of bone-in meat and eating it.

“Given my status, I’ve always had women approaching me. Before studying abroad and during my studies too. Before I left, marriage proposals piled up like mountains, and I received loads of letters from women too. It might be an honor, but it didn’t make me happy. Besides, women love setting traps, don’t they?”

“Traps?”

“I mean finding excuses to push for marriage. There are countless women in this world who adore the word ‘responsibility’ the very word you dislike.”

For example, if Lord Fevan smiled at someone, that woman might misinterpret it as interest, break up with her boyfriend or fiancé, and then pressure him: “I broke up because of you, so take responsibility!” Apparently, he received many bewildering letters like that.

The prime example was probably Lady Adrienne Canteloupe, who hinted at a relationship with him during his studies abroad and forcibly secured an engagement.

…How unfortunate for him.

Having too much status or looks must be troublesome. In Lord Fevan’s case, he has both, making it even worse.

“But you said you don’t need responsibility, and you don’t set traps like other ladies. In fact, you almost seem like you don’t want to be involved with me which made me want to catch your interest instead, to make you turn my way. While thinking that, I noticed you kept showing different sides of yourself. You’re unexpectedly brave, inexperienced in love and cute—well, anyway, before I knew it, I’d fallen for you.”

“Fallen…?”

“If I hadn’t fallen for you, I wouldn’t go through the roundabout trouble of suggesting a trial period.”

Now that he mentioned it, that might be true.

A man as popular as him wouldn’t deliberately take on unnecessary trouble. So, the fact that he went that far must mean he’s genuinely serious about me. Is that what it means?

“See, right there. You blush so easily. It’s cute.”

That’s exactly why I wish he wouldn’t call me “cute” so lightly.

Too embarrassed to lift my head, I heard Lord Fevan laugh.

“I’ll wait as long as it takes. So please, I hope you’ll come to like me too.”

Before we went out, my sister said, “Reel him in,” but at this rate, isn’t it me being reeled in instead?

And that moment felt like it was just around the corner, I had that premonition.